☰
×

Tourist Couple Falls Victim to Fake Guide in Fatehpur Sikri

In a troubling incident in Fatehpur Sikri, a couple was deceived by a fraudulent guide who claimed that popular historical sites were in ruins. After paying him for a tour and additional fees for a prayer at a shrine, they discovered the truth about the intact monuments. This incident highlights the risks tourists face and the need for vigilance when hiring guides. Authorities have yet to receive a formal complaint but are prepared to take action if one is filed. Read on to learn more about this alarming situation.
By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 3, 2026, 22:52 IST

Incident Involving a Deceptive Guide


A shocking incident has emerged in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where a couple visiting Fatehpur Sikri encountered a fraudulent guide. Initially, the couple did not recognize him and ended up hiring him for a tour. The impostor, posing as a guide, charged them ₹500 upfront and later extorted an additional ₹1,100 under the pretense of offering a prayer at the shrine of Sheikh Salim Chishti.

When the woman requested to visit the Jodha Bai Palace, Panch Mahal, Anup Talaab, Rang Mahal, and Hiran Minar, the so-called guide dismissed her request, claiming that those sites had collapsed. It was only upon leaving that the couple realized they had been deceived, leading to their frustration as they discovered that the palaces were still intact and open to visitors.


Rahul Singh, originally from Bihar and currently working at a bank in Bulandshahr, visited the site with his wife Preeti and their five-year-old child. At around 1:30 PM, they arranged for a guide near the Buland Darwaza for ₹500. The guide showed them the Buland Darwaza, the shrine of Sheikh Salim Chishti, and the Badshahi Gate. However, when the wife expressed interest in the palace, the guide falsely claimed that Akbar's fort was in ruins. He pressured them to pay for the prayer at the shrine before fleeing with their money.

Upon inquiring about the alleged ruins from bus stand officials Ramgopal and Shiv Singh Mahura, the couple learned that the palace was fully preserved. Shocked by the deception, they returned to the monument. The Fatehpur Sikri police and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated that they had not received any formal complaint regarding the incident. Officials indicated that appropriate action would be taken if a complaint were filed.